Explore New Brunswick, Nj: A City Guide

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a city steeped in history, culture, and entertainment. From its extensive history dating back to pre-Revolutionary times to its vibrant arts and dining scene, there is something for everyone in this charming city. Home to Rutgers University, the state university of New Jersey, New Brunswick offers a lively and youthful atmosphere with its vibrant student population. The city boasts a dynamic performing arts centre, world-class art museums, historic chapels, and an array of dining options to tantalise your taste buds. Whether you're interested in exploring the past, enjoying sophisticated entertainment, or indulging in culinary delights, New Brunswick has something to offer for a memorable visit.

George Street Playhouse

If you're looking for things to do in New Brunswick, New Jersey, then the George Street Playhouse should definitely be on your list. The theatre is a dynamic hub for performing arts in the city and has been entertaining audiences for 50 years.

The Playhouse is located in the heart of New Brunswick's downtown area, which boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. The theatre is a member of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, alongside other esteemed companies such as the American Repertory Ballet and the Crossroads Theatre Company.

The George Street Playhouse offers a diverse range of productions, from captivating musicals to thought-provoking plays. The theatre has recently hosted productions such as "tick, tick...BOOM!", written by Jonathan Larson, the creator of RENT. The Playhouse also offers flexible ticketing options, such as the PerformancePASS, which allows patrons to save money and enjoy great seats for their favourite shows.

In addition to its main stage productions, the George Street Playhouse also engages with the community through initiatives like the Rutgers Day celebration. The theatre set up a table at the event, inviting attendees to connect with the team and learn about upcoming productions. This demonstrates the theatre's commitment to engaging with the local community and making their productions accessible to a wider audience.

Whether you're a theatre enthusiast or just looking for a unique cultural experience, a visit to the George Street Playhouse is a must when in New Brunswick, NJ. With its rich history, diverse performances, and community engagement, the Playhouse is sure to offer an enriching and entertaining experience for all.

Zimmerli Art Museum

The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, popularly known as the Zimmerli Art Museum, is located on the Voorhees Mall on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The museum, founded in 1966, houses more than 60,000 works, including Russian and Soviet Nonconformist Art from the acclaimed Dodge Collection, American art from the eighteenth century to the present, and six centuries of European art with a particular focus on nineteenth-century French art. The museum also holds a notable collection of works on paper, including prints, drawings, photographs, original illustrations for children's books, and rare books.

The Zimmerli Art Museum's American art collection contains over 16,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and decorative arts. The collection reflects America's rich artistic and cultural heritage, showcasing examples of portraiture, landscape, still life, narrative art, and abstraction. Modern and contemporary styles represented in the collection include precisionism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, pop art, op art, Fluxus, photo-realism, and minimalism. Work by women artists is a distinguishing aspect of the museum's American holdings, highlighting Rutgers' pioneering role in women's studies.

The museum's collection of European art comprises close to 10,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, rare books, and decorative arts. The collection ranges in date from the Renaissance to the present, with a particular emphasis on nineteenth-century French works on paper, such as prints and rare books. Strongly represented subjects include portraits and caricatures, landscapes, and popular entertainments. The European holdings also include a renowned collection of Japonisme, featuring late-nineteenth-century works by European artists inspired by Japanese art and aesthetics.

The Russian and Soviet nonconformist art holdings at the Zimmerli Art Museum contain approximately 22,000 objects, providing an overview of art in Russia from the fourteenth century to the present. The Imperial era of Russian art is represented through diverse styles and subjects that showcase the country's artistic heritage, genres, and visual cultures. The Dodge Collection, the largest collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art in the United States, is a significant part of this holding, with more than 20,000 works by nearly 1,000 artists. The collection represents a culture that defied the politically imposed conventions of Socialist Realism and includes all media, such as paintings, sculpture, assemblage, installations, photography, video, and artists' books.

The Zimmerli Art Museum is a teaching museum that contributes to the academic programs of undergraduate and graduate students at Rutgers University. It offers interactive tours and educational programs for students of all ages, as well as workshops, classes, and lectures for those interested in exploring their artistic side. The museum is free for all visitors and provides a dynamic and diverse experience for art enthusiasts and learners alike.

Rutgers Gardens

The gardens serve as a living laboratory for faculty and staff, while also providing experiential and service learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The site offers a vibrant volunteer program and hosts a variety of special events and activities for families throughout the year.

The gardens also feature a Log Cabin, which is a popular venue for gatherings and events, and a weekly farmer's market during the summer and fall months. Visitors can enjoy hiking and walking trails, such as the Meander Trail, and relax in the natural surroundings.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a city steeped in history, with buildings dating from the 1740s to the turn of the 19th century. The Historic Downtown Walking Tour is a great way to explore the city and learn about its rich past.

The self-guided walking tour brochure provides a map and information to navigate the city independently. Alternatively, there are guided tours available, which last around 2 hours and provide a rich narrative of New Brunswick's history, from the 1700s to the present day. The knowledgeable guides offer an engaging and informative experience, sharing stories and personal anecdotes about the city's historical figures.

The tour takes in churches, graveyards, and a colonial house, as well as sites related to the Johnson family and the Johnson & Johnson company, which had a significant impact on the town. The walk is at a pleasant pace with many stops, making it an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

For those interested in the arts, entertainment, and dining, the 15-block downtown area offers a variety of options, including the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which hosts productions from member companies such as the American Repertory Ballet, Crossroads Theatre Company, and George Street Playhouse.

With its historical sites, cultural offerings, and culinary delights, the Historic Downtown Walking Tour of New Brunswick, NJ, is a great way to explore and learn about this charming city.

Basilone Memorial Bridge

The Basilone Memorial Bridge, officially the John Basilone Memorial Bridge, is a must-see when visiting New Brunswick, New Jersey. This impressive structure is a steel girder bridge that carries 12 lanes of traffic, including six standard lanes and six HOV Express lanes, over the Raritan River. During peak travel times, the HOV Express lanes offer discounted rates for carpools of two or more people, helping to manage the flow of traffic.

The bridge is named after John Basilone, a native of nearby Raritan, New Jersey, and a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism at Guadalcanal in 1942. Sergeant Basilone was killed in action at Iwo Jima in 1945, and the memorial bridge stands as a tribute to his valour and sacrifice. The memorial plaque honouring him can be viewed at the Thomas Edison Travel Stop.

The Basilone Memorial Bridge is conveniently located within the Interstate 95 corridor and is easily accessible for visitors. It is one of several notable bridges spanning the lower Raritan River, including the Governor Alfred E. Driscoll Bridge and the Thomas A. Edison Bridge, which are often considered a single structure. The Basilone Bridge is the only bridge within the Interstate 95 corridor located entirely in New Jersey.

The bridge has a fascinating architecture and is a popular site for those interested in the history of the area. Visitors can learn about the bridge's construction and its dedication to Sergeant Basilone, honouring the memory of a local hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

In addition to its historical significance, the Basilone Memorial Bridge offers a practical route for travellers, providing a connection across the Raritan River and facilitating transportation in and around New Brunswick. The bridge's toll rates are reasonable, and it offers a smooth passage for all vehicles except large commercial vehicles, which are restricted from using the HOV Express lanes.

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